Multi-functional armrest assembly

ABSTRACT

An armrest assembly includes a platform, a post pivotally installed on the platform, a cylinder movably installed on the post, an armrest pivotally installed on the cylinder, an angle controller for controlling the angle of the post on the platform and an elevation controller for controlling the elevation of the cylinder on the post.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-functional armrest assembly.

2. Related Prior Art

Disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication M242101 is a device for adjusting the elevation of an armrest. The device includes a stationary post 1 and a movable cylinder 2 movable up and down on the stationary post 1. An armrest 4 is attached to the movable cylinder 2. Between the stationary post 1 and the movable cylinder 2 is a retaining element 3 that is movable axially. By means of operating the retaining element 3, the elevation of the movable cylinder 2 on the stationary post 1 can be adjusted, and so can the elevation of the armrest 4.

There are problems with the conventional device. Although providing users with the possibility of adjusting the elevation of the armrest, it fails to provide any other functions that users may want.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, an armrest assembly includes a platform, a post pivotally installed on the platform, a cylinder movably installed on the post, an armrest pivotally installed on the cylinder, an angle controller for controlling the angle of the post on the platform and an elevation controller for controlling the elevation of the cylinder on the post.

An advantage of the armrest assembly of the present invention is that the angle of the post on the platform can be adjusted.

Another advantage of the armrest assembly of the present invention is that the angle of the armrest on the cylinder can be adjusted.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of two embodiments referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an armrest assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the armrest assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is another cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an armrest assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an armrest assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The armrest assembly includes a stationary platform 10, a pivotal post 20 pivotally installed on the stationary platform 10, a movable cylinder 30 movably installed on the pivotal post 20, an armrest 40 attached to the movable cylinder 30, an angle controller 60 installed between the stationary platform 10 and the pivotal post 20 and an elevation controller 50 installed between the pivotal post 20 and the movable cylinder 30. The stationary platform 10 includes an axle 11 on a side. The axle 11 is an annular edge.

The pivotal post 20 is a flat element. The pivotal post 20 includes a ring 21 at an end and a rack 23 at an opposite end. The ring 21 is installed on the axle 11. An annular gear 22 is formed on a side of the ring 21 opposite to the stationary platform 10. The annular gear 22 includes a plurality of teeth on an internal side. A connector 24 is used to keep the ring 21 on the axle 11. The connector 24 defines an aperture 25. The rack 23 includes a plurality of ratchets. A groove 26 is defined in an edge of the pivotal post 20.

The angle controller 60 includes a gear 61, a button 62 and a spring 63. The gear 61 is made corresponding to the annular gear 22. The button 62 is made compliant with the aperture 25.

Referring to FIG. 7, the spring 63 is compressed between the axle 11 and the gear 61. The gear 61 is located in the annular gear 22. The gear 61 is attached to the axle 11 by means of a fastener 70 such as a threaded bolt. The fastener 70 includes a shank on which the gear 61 can move but cannot rotate. The button 62 is movably installed on the annular connector 24, within the aperture 25. As the annular gear 22 is engaged with the gear 61, the angle of the pivotal post 20 on the stationary platform 10 is retained.

Referring to FIG. 8, by means of pushing the button 62, the gear 61 is pushed from the annular gear 22 so as to allow the pivotal post 20 to be pivoted on the stationary platform 10.

Once the button 62 is released, the gear 61 will be returned to the position shown in FIG. 7 from the position shown in FIG. 8 by means of the spring 63.

Referring to FIG. 2, the movable cylinder 30 is installed on the pivotal post 20. A pin 31 is driven into the groove 26 through the movable cylinder 30. Thus, the movable cylinder 30 is movable on the pivotal post 20 but the former cannot be detached from the latter. The movable cylinder 30 includes a smooth concave surface 32 at an upper end and two ears 33 on the smooth concave surface 32.

The elevation controller 50 includes a latch 51, a releasing device 52 and a spring 53. The latch 51 includes a detent 51 2 at an end and a shaft 511 at an opposite end. The releasing device 52 includes a fastener, a pusher 523 and a spring 524. The fastener includes a threaded bolt 521 and a nut 522. The spring 53 is a bent leaf spring. That is, the spring 53 includes a first section and a second section extending from the first section at a sharp angle.

The armrest 41 includes a frame 41 and a pad 42. The frame 41 is hollow. The frame 41 includes a smooth convex surface 43 on the bottom and a slot 44 therein.

Referring to FIG. 3, the latch 51 is inserted through the slot 44. The shaft 511 is located across the slot 44 and installed on the ears 33. Thus, the latch 51 is pivotal. The pad 42 is attached to the frame 41. The detent 512 and the spring 53 are positioned in the movable cylinder 30. The detent 512 is engaged with the rack 23. The first section of the spring 53 is attached to the latch 51. The second section of the spring 53 is located against the movable cylinder 30. Thus, the spring 53 keeps the detent 512 engaged with the rack 23. The pusher 523 is attached to the threaded bolt 521. The pusher 523 is positioned in the movable cylinder 30. The pusher 523 is located against the latch 51. The threaded bolt 521 is driven through the movable cylinder 30. The spring 524 is installed on the threaded bolt 521 outside the movable cylinder 30. A nut 522 is engaged with the threaded bolt 521 outside the movable cylinder 30. Thus, the spring 524 tends to keep the pusher 523 to the movable cylinder 30.

Referring to FIG. 4, the nut 522 is pushed so that the latch 51 is pivoted by means of the pusher 523. Thus, the detent 512 is disengaged from the rack 23. Hence, the elevation of the movable cylinder 30 on the pivotal post 20 can be adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the nut 522 is released so that the latch 51 is returned by means of the spring 53. Thus, the detent 512 is engaged with the rack 23 again. Hence, the elevation of the movable cylinder 30 on the pivotal post 20 is retained.

Referring to FIG. 6, because of the slot 44 that allows the latch 51 to move in, the smooth convex surface 43 can slide on the smooth concave surface 32 so that the armrest 40 can tilt on the movable cylinder 30.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown an armrest assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except including a different pivotal post 20 and a different angle controller 60.

The pivotal post 20 includes a gear 27 on a side of the ring 21. A cover 28 includes a cutout 29 therein.

The angle controller 60 includes a latch 64, a spring 66 and a fastener 65. The latch 64 includes a detent 67 at an end and a handle 68 at an opposite end. The spring 66 is a torque spring. The fastener 65 is a threaded bolt.

The latch 64 is connected to the cover 28 by means of the fastener 65. The spring 66 is provided between the latch 64 and the cover 28.

The cover 28 is secured to the stationary platform 10 by means of a fastener 12 such as a threaded bolt. The cover 28 cannot rotate on the stationary platform 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the latch 64 is inserted through the cutout 29 so that the detent 67 is positioned in the cover 28 while the handle 68 is located outside the cover 28. The detent 67 is engaged with the gear 27. Hence, the pivotal post 20 cannot rotate on the stationary platform 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, the handle 68 is pushed so that the detent 67 is disengaged from the gear 27. Hence, the pivotal post 20 can rotate on the stationary platform 10.

Referring to FIG. 12, the handle 68 is released so that the detent 67 is engaged with the gear 27 again by means of the spring 66. Hence, the angle of the pivotal post 20 on the stationary platform 10 is retained.

The armrest assembly according to the present invention exhibits several advantages. Firstly, the angle of the pivotal post 20 on the stationary platform 10 can be adjusted. Secondly, the angle of the armrest 40 on the cylinder 30 can be adjusted. Thirdly, the elevation controller 50 can easily be operated.

The present invention has been described through the illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. An armrest assembly comprising: a platform; a post pivotally installed on the platform; a cylinder movably installed on the post; an armrest pivotally installed on the cylinder; an angle controller for controlling the angle of the post on the platform; and an elevation controller for controlling the elevation of the cylinder on the post.
 2. The armrest assembly according to claim 1 wherein the platform comprises an axle thereon, wherein the post comprises a ring installed on the axle.
 3. The armrest assembly according to claim 2 wherein the post comprises an annular gear on a side of the ring, wherein the angle controller comprises a gear movable but not rotational on the axle between a locking position engaged with the annular gear and a releasing position disengaged from the annular gear.
 4. The armrest assembly according to claim 3 wherein the angle controller comprises a fastener for attaching the gear to the axle.
 5. The armrest assembly according to claim 3 wherein the angle controller comprises a spring compressed between the axle and the gear for keeping the gear in the locking position.
 6. The armrest assembly according to claim 5 comprising a connector for keeping the ring on the axle.
 7. The armrest assembly according to claim 6 wherein the angle controller comprises a button movable on the connector between a first position corresponding to the locking position of the gear and a second position corresponding to the releasing position of the gear.
 8. The armrest assembly according to claim 2 wherein the post comprises a gear on a side of the ring, wherein the angle controller comprises a latch pivotal on the axle between a locking position engaged with the gear and a releasing position disengaged from the gear.
 9. The armrest assembly according to claim 8 wherein the latch comprises, at an end, a detent for engagement with the gear.
 10. The armrest assembly according to claim 9 wherein the latch comprises, at an opposite end, a handle operable for moving the detent between the locking position and the releasing position.
 11. The armrest assembly according to claim 8 wherein the angle controller comprises a spring between the platform and the latch.
 12. The armrest assembly according to claim 8 comprising a cover attached to the axle, wherein the latch is pivotal on the cover.
 13. The armrest assembly according to claim 12 comprising a fastener for attaching the cover to the axle.
 14. The armrest assembly according to claim 1 wherein the post defines a groove for receiving a pin driven through the cylinder so as to allow the movement of the cylinder on the post but avoid the detachment of the cylinder from the post.
 15. The armrest assembly according to claim 1 wherein the post comprises a rack located in the cylinder, wherein the elevation controller comprises a latch located in the cylinder between a locking position engaged with the rack and a releasing position disengaged from the rack.
 16. The armrest assembly according to claim 15 wherein the latch comprises a shaft installed on the cylinder and a detent for engagement with the rack.
 17. The armrest assembly according to claim 15 wherein the elevation controller comprises a releasing device operable to move the latch to the releasing position.
 18. The armrest assembly according to claim 17 wherein the releasing device comprises: a pusher positioned against the latch in the cylinder between a first position corresponding to the locking position of the latch and a second position corresponding to the releasing position of the latch; and a fastener for attaching the pusher to the cylinder.
 19. The armrest assembly according to claim 18 wherein the elevation controller comprises a spring compressed between the fastener and the cylinder so as to keep the pusher in the first position.
 20. The armrest assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cylinder comprise a smooth concave surface, wherein the armrest comprises a smooth convex surface for sliding on the smooth concave surface. 